Courier Arrested in Social Security Impersonation Scam

CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Sheriff Casey Cox

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2026

COURIER ARRESTED IN SOCIAL SECURITY IMPERSONATION SCAM

Crossville, Tennessee – On September 28, 2026, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigators began investigating a scam involving a caller who claimed to be a federal agent with the Social Security Administration.

According to investigators, the caller told the victim that his Social Security number had been compromised, his computer had been hacked, and someone at his bank was assisting the hackers. The caller persuaded the victim to purchase a new laptop, allow remote access to it, and withdraw cash to be collected by an “agent” for safekeeping.

The victim reported handing a package containing $24,000 to a courier at a Walmart in Cleveland, Tennessee, on September 22. On September 23, the victim handed over another package containing $27,000 at a motel in Crossville. The victim believed the money was being secured until a new bank account could be opened.

On September 30, investigators worked with the victim to arrange another pickup. Abu Saleh, age 47, of Atlanta, Georgia, arrived at the McDonald’s parking lot on Peavine Road and collected a decoy package that he believed contained $14,000. Investigators took Saleh into custody. Booking records identify Saleh’s country of birth and citizenship as Bangladesh.

Saleh was booked on the following charges, with individual bonds listed in the booking record:

Theft of property over $10,000: $300,000 bond.

Criminal attempt to commit theft of property over $10,000: $150,000 bond.

Financial exploitation of an elderly person: $200,000 bond.

Warrant for arrest from another state: $2,000,000 bond.

The booking record lists a combined bond of $2,650,000. Saleh is scheduled to appear in Cumberland County General Sessions Court on October 5, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., on all four listed charges.

Investigators identified an outstanding warrant from Atlanta, Georgia, involving an alleged cash pickup in that jurisdiction. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Cybercrimes assisted with the investigation.

Following Saleh’s arrest, investigators contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Booking records show a Georgia hold entered on September 30 and an ICE hold entered on October 1, 2026.

The Sheriff’s Office urges residents to end any call directing them to withdraw cash, deliver money to a courier, or allow remote access to a computer to “protect” their money. Verify the request by contacting the agency or bank through an independently obtained telephone number, and report suspected scams to law enforcement immediately.